Pry textbook publishing likely to miss deadline
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
A huge confusion over the supply of free primary textbooks in time has risen as one supplier has requested for more time to deliver paper, reports bdnews24.com.
Ratan Kumar Siddiquee, who is on special duty to supervise textbook publication, told the news agency that 'Nipun Enterprise' was ordered to supply 997 tonnes paper within Nov 20.
The firm informed the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) on Nov 24 that it would not be able to supply the required amount.
Ratan said Karnaphuli Paper Mill will be asked to make up the shortfall.
Tender will be floated again, in case of failure of the mill to supply papers, he added.
He also expressed his concern over whether the books this year could be published in time.
Until now, below 37 per cent of primary textbooks have been supplied while over 75 per cent of secondary textbooks were supplied to the NCTB.
The NCTB held a meeting over the current situation on Sunday. Its member, Abul Kashem Mia, was asked to prepare a policy on measures against publishers who would fail to ensure timely supply.
Ratan said NCTB is exerting pressure on the publishers to provide the books before Jan 01.
He also said the board is concerned about the activities of nine publishers.
Of the nine, Bikalpa Press and Publications, Modern Printing and Publications, Popular Press and Publications, Sarker Printing and Publications, Anannya Printers and Balaka Press and Publications were blacklisted by the National Taskforce for the delayed supply of textbooks last year.
On the other hand, owners of printing houses urged the NCTB to extend the deadline for supplying textbooks for primary students from Nov 30 to Dec 20 and for secondary students from Nov 30 to Dec 15.
Ratan said publishers failing to supply the books in time will see strong measures coming against them.
Earlier, the press owners threatened to stop supplying books for not being paid. They had pressed for a payment of Tk 1.0 billion before the Eid.
The President of Textbook Printing and Distribution Association, Tofael Khan, said the bill for about 30 per cent of books have already been submitted.
He had said the NCTB asked them to collect the payments due from the primary and mass education department which asked them to contact the office of the accountant general.
Ratan said the billing system would not be changed this year.
Ratan Kumar Siddiquee, who is on special duty to supervise textbook publication, told the news agency that 'Nipun Enterprise' was ordered to supply 997 tonnes paper within Nov 20.
The firm informed the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) on Nov 24 that it would not be able to supply the required amount.
Ratan said Karnaphuli Paper Mill will be asked to make up the shortfall.
Tender will be floated again, in case of failure of the mill to supply papers, he added.
He also expressed his concern over whether the books this year could be published in time.
Until now, below 37 per cent of primary textbooks have been supplied while over 75 per cent of secondary textbooks were supplied to the NCTB.
The NCTB held a meeting over the current situation on Sunday. Its member, Abul Kashem Mia, was asked to prepare a policy on measures against publishers who would fail to ensure timely supply.
Ratan said NCTB is exerting pressure on the publishers to provide the books before Jan 01.
He also said the board is concerned about the activities of nine publishers.
Of the nine, Bikalpa Press and Publications, Modern Printing and Publications, Popular Press and Publications, Sarker Printing and Publications, Anannya Printers and Balaka Press and Publications were blacklisted by the National Taskforce for the delayed supply of textbooks last year.
On the other hand, owners of printing houses urged the NCTB to extend the deadline for supplying textbooks for primary students from Nov 30 to Dec 20 and for secondary students from Nov 30 to Dec 15.
Ratan said publishers failing to supply the books in time will see strong measures coming against them.
Earlier, the press owners threatened to stop supplying books for not being paid. They had pressed for a payment of Tk 1.0 billion before the Eid.
The President of Textbook Printing and Distribution Association, Tofael Khan, said the bill for about 30 per cent of books have already been submitted.
He had said the NCTB asked them to collect the payments due from the primary and mass education department which asked them to contact the office of the accountant general.
Ratan said the billing system would not be changed this year.